It’s going to be a busy and exciting weekend in Minneapolis with the final Twins regular season games, a Vikings game, the Minnesota Gophers football team’s Big 10 conference opener and the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon all taking place. These events will be drawing big crowds, so it’s a good idea to know your transportation options and plan ahead, whether you plan to drive, take transit, bike or walk.

Those heading into downtown Minneapolis should be aware that the Interstate 35W from Highway 62 (the Crosstown) to Interstate 94 will be closed to traffic this weekend, starting 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 and lasting until 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2.Drivers heading to any of the downtown events will need to find alternative routes.

·Know your parking options –There is parking availability throughout Downtown. If you prefer convenient access to Target Field, the adjacent A, B, C, and Hawthorne ramps have plenty of capacity, and the ramps empty smoothly after games, without long waits. If you’re parking on the street when coming Downtown, make sure to check the signs to be sure of the time limit and hours of enforcement for your parking space. Also note that many of the metered on-street parking spaces in the area of Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium have event rates and enforced maximum parking times.

·Bicycles are another great way to the games –There are bike racks you can use at Target Field, U.S. Bank Stadium and TCF Bank Stadium. Bicyclists are reminded to use headlights and taillights after dark and, if possible, to wear light or reflective clothing.

·Come early/stay late –The areas near each stadium are ready to welcome fans for sporting events, shows and excitement. Take part in activities, shopping, dining, and other entertainment before and after games and concerts. Enjoy the extra time to experience all each area has to offer, and avoid traffic congestion. The Warehouse District looks forward to welcoming fans before and after Twins and Vikings games.

The City of Minneapolis takes a number of steps to manage traffic congestion during big events Downtown. The volume of pedestrians, bikes and cars Downtown before and after these events means increased congestion, but there are several ways the City works to improve operations and reduce delays, including:

·Police and traffic control agents are at many intersections during peak times before and after the events.

·Special traffic signal timing patterns are used to move high numbers of people during events.

·Dynamic messaging signs provide drivers with real-time information as they move around the area. They notify drivers when key parking ramps fill, and to help drivers find their way around.

Events calendar makes it easy to plan ahead

Whether you want to go to a game, catch a play, or see a concert, finding just the right events and activities for your family is easy when you use the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District’s online events calendar.

The calendar is on the Downtown Improvement District’s website atwww.mplsdid.com. The list includes events and entertainment at dozens of venues, big and small, throughout Downtown. The list can be viewed and sorted in several different ways to help you find what you’re looking for. The calendar includes sporting events, live performances, theater events, festivals and parades, exhibits, and many other entertainment options. The calendar makes it easy to find out if there are lots of events on a given day, andknowing what else is happening Downtown will help you plan ahead to minimize transportation delays.

Help prevent car break-ins

The Minneapolis Police Department encourages you to protect yourself from vehicle break-ins and“Put Your Junk In Your Trunk.”Get in the habit of keeping all of your belongings in the trunk of your car, prior to arriving at your destination, and never leave belongings in plain view. Remember to always call 911 if you see suspicious behavior.

Making event days a great experience

Many City departments, the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Ballpark Authority, Target Center, the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Hennepin County, Metro Transit, ABC Ramps, the University of Minnesota, the Warehouse District Business Association, the Downtown Improvement District, the Hennepin Theatre District, the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Guthrie Theater, and others are all taking steps to make event days in Downtown success.

Published Sep 28, 2017

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